Dennis E. Miller, 93

Dennis E. Miller, 93, went to be with the Lord peacefully on April 1, 2015, at home with his family by his side and his dog Trixie on his bed.

Dennis was born in Winner, Minn., to Emma and Harry Miller on Oct. 31, 1921, and grew up on a farm in Warroad, Minn. When he was young, he thought the other kids were celebrating his birthday by dressing up in costumes and it wasn't until later that he realized it was Halloween!

Dennis met his wife, Ann, when she was just 14 years old and he was 17, and he told Ann's brother that he would marry her someday, which he did!

Dennis joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to boot camp at Farragut Naval Training Center in Bayview, Idaho. Later, he was sent to the South Pacific Islands and served during World War II working as an aviation mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

On Dec. 17, 1944, Dennis married the love of his life, Ann Eide, of Spooner, Minn. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1995. Together they raised three children and lived all over the United States.

Dennis took many correspondence courses to further his education and career goals, and was given the civilian title of Colonel in the 1950s while working on the Bomarc Missile Program with the Boeing Company. He spent a year in Iceland in 1956 working on the missile. He later worked as a civilian for the Air Force as a data manager and retired in 1979.

Being an avid outdoorsman, Dennis was proud to share his many fishing and hunting tales with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. Growing up in Minnesota, he was an outstanding marksman and shot many deer and bears to provide food for the family. He shared his love of hunting and fishing with his children, and taught them the skills required to continue those activities.

Dennis spent the majority of his later years in the Seattle area, where he also spent the spring and summers clam digging, crabbing, hunting for geoducks and traveling to Ilwaco, Wash., to fish for salmon. During the fall he and his son would spend many weeks hunting for deer and elk.

His beloved wife Ann passed away in 1995, and in 2002 Dennis moved from his home in Seattle to Post Falls, Idaho, to be near his youngest daughter and family. After moving to the area he enjoyed going out to lunch and to the casino with friends, and attending musical theater productions put on by the Christian Youth Theater -North Idaho in which his grandchildren, Sam and Annie, were both involved.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Emma Miller; sister Helene McCarthy; brother Donald Miller; and beloved wife, Ann. He is survived by his three children: David (Val) Miller of Coquille, Ore., Carol (Merle) Voeller of Tucson, Ariz., and Lori (Mike) Cuentas of Post Falls, Idaho; and eight grandchildren: Serenity David, Adam David, Jamie (Miller) Atwood, Jodie (Miller) Hoberg, Madi Cuentas, Michael Cuentas, Sam Cuentas, and Anna Rose Cuentas.

A simple Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the American Legion Post 143, 1138 E. Poleline, Post Falls.

Memorial donations may be made to CYT-North Idaho, 147 E. Aqua Circle No. 3, Dalton Gardens, Idaho, 83815, or to Hospice of North Idaho.

Special thanks to Hospice of North Idaho for their assistance in fulfilling Dennis' wish to complete his life in his own home surrounded by close family and his special dog.

Bell Tower Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.